NRC approves Nub's Nob's request for land exchange

Jim Bartlett, general manager at Nub's Nob, said the company proposed it exchange the private land -- which it would buy to exchange -- for the state land, which is located near the northeast corner of the resort's existing property. Bartlett said the exchange would expand and add to Nub's Nob's cross country trail systems, specifically the upper red loop.

HARBOR SPRINGS — A request by Nub's Nob Ski Area to exchange private land for state land, which would allow the ski resort to expand, was approved by the director of the Natural Resources Commission during a commission meeting Thursday, said Ed Meadows, manager of real estate services for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

"This has been good for the public as well because we've added land for public recreation," Meadows said.

Nub's Nob proposed to exchange 80 acres of private land, located in Readmond Township, adjacent to state forest, with an appraised value of $230,000, for 60 acres of state land, located in Pleasantview Township with an appraised value of $175,000, according to a NRC memo regarding the exchange.

"The law requires the value of the properties to be equal or in favor of the state," Meadows said of the discrepancy.

Director Rodney Stokes approved the exchange at the commission's meeting Thursday at Mott Community College in Flint, Meadows said.

Jim Bartlett, general manager at Nub's Nob, said the company proposed it exchange the private land -- which it would buy to exchange -- for the state land, which is located near the northeast corner of the resort's existing property.

Bartlett said the exchange would expand and add to Nub's Nob's cross country trail systems, specifically the upper red loop.

Eventually, the company might expand its down hill ski trails as well, he said.

Bartlett added the newly approved proposal had been in the works for the past three or four years.

"We've waited a long time for this," he said. "It just takes time."

Meadows said the state has participated in land exchanges with Nub's Nob in the past.

"Originally (Nub's Nob was) in favor of purchasing the land, but the department wanted to do a land exchange instead," Meadows said. "So it took a while for suitable properties to be identified."

Meadows added, "Now we'll just proceed to the review of title on the properties and the closing of the real estate transaction."

After the exchange was approved Bartlett said, "It looks like a successful conclusion to a process we're very excited about completing."

Bartlett said Nub's Nob has not yet purchased the private property it plans to exchange for the state land from its current owner.

"We have an option to purchase it, that was contingent upon approval by the DNR of the process," he said.